Canteen or mess kit



July 27, 1954 c. BELSKY 2,684,756

CANTEEN 0R MESS KIT Filed Jan. 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

f/f/ZPAFS 5415/6 Y July 27, 1954 c. BELSKY CANTEEN OR MESS KIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1951 INVENTOR.

Patented July 27, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to canteens or mess kits.

Broadly the invention comprehends a canteen or mess kit wherein the component parts are so related and connected that they may be folded upon one another so as to occupy but small space and also to provide a sealed or closed container suitable for the reception of implements and/or rations.

An object of the invention is to provide a canteen including two or more containers so constructed and connected that they may be folded together to provide a closed compartment and when opened may be supported by a unitary handle, which also provides a closing means for the containers and means for retaining the containers in closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a canteen having two containers and a unitary handle so made and arranged that the handle serves to support both containers when the canteen is open and to lock the containers together when the canteen is closed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a canteen having but few component parts which may be easily and quickly produced and assembled so that its manufacture may be attained at the minimum cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description when taken in connection with the drawings forming a part of this specification and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a canteen embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is an end view of the canteen when closed,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the canteen when closed with the handle shown in dotted lines before it is folded,

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating the handle as folded but not secured against displacement,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the relation of the handle to the canteen when closed,

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the hinge for joining the individual containers of the canteen,

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the canteen in open position,

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the handle taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7, and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings for more specific details of the invention, 2 indicates a pan or container preferably oval in general contour. The rim of the container is deformed to provide a marginal flange 4 bent back and under upon itself as indicated at 6 to lend strength and rigidity to the structure, and the flange has a continuous groove 8, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear.

A corresponding pan or container constituting a cover I0 is secured to one side of the pan 2 as by a hinge l2, the pintle of which is extended and deformed to provide a ring and/or hook for suspension of the canteen, and the rim of the container has a rolled edge It adapted to fit snugly in the continuous groove 8 in the flange 4 of the container 2 so as to effectively seal the pans and/or containers together when in the folded or closed position.

A handle indicated generally at I8 includes two corresponding parts 20 and 22, each having an oif-set portion 24 and 26 deformed to provide a hinge 28 serving to pivotally join the parts 20 and 22. The handle has a flared butt 30 provided with a lateral tongue 32, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear, and oppositely curved shanks 34 and 36 pivotally secured as by hinges 38 and 40 to the pans 2 and ID and the handle and shanks have ribs 42 serving to lend strength and rigidity thereto.

When the canteen is open as illustrated in Fig. 7, the pans and/or containers 2 and [0 may be used as cooking utensils or as containers for the reception of food or rations and in whatever use both pans or containers are supported by a unitary handle.

When it is desired to close the canteen, the pan I0 constituting the cover is swung on the hinge l2 connecting the pans 2 and III and concomitantly therewith the part 22 of the handle is swung on the hinge 28 connecting the parts 20 and 22 of the handle. When the pans are folded together the rolled rim I6 on the pan I0 fits snugly in the groove 8 in the flange 4 of the pan 2, and the part 22 of the handle is immediately above the part 20 of the handle. When in this position the axes of the hinges 38 and 40 are in aligmnent. The handle is then swung on the hinges 38 and 40 against the pans and when in this position, the hinge 28 opposes the hinge l2 and this effectively locks the pans together. Preferably the axes of the hinges 38 and 40 are slightly inclined so that the handle l8 when folded is slightly off the horizontal axis of the pans, and when in this position, the handle may be sprung so that the tongue 32 may be firmly held against the back of the rolled rim l6 of the pan l0.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, 1 wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A canteen comprising matched containers, a hinge connecting the containers to fold one upon the other, and a handle for the canteen including like sections contoured to flap against the containers and hinges connecting the sections to one another and to the respective containers so pivoted as to swing one above the other and fold against the containers.

2. A canteen comprising matched containers, a hinge having a pintle connecting the containers to fold one upon the other, a hook contiguous with the pintle, a handle for the canteen including corresponding parts, hinges connecting the parts to one another and to the respective containers so pivoted as to swing one above the other and fold against the containers.

3. A canteen comprising matched containers, means pivotally connecting the containers so as to fold one upon the other and a handle for the canteen including like sections contoured to fit against the walls of the containers, means pivotally connecting the sections to the respective containers and means pivotally connecting the sections to one another in axial alignment with the pivotal connection of the containers, said sections to swing one above the other and against the containers when the containers are folded one upon the other.

1. A canteen comprising matched containers, means hinging the containers together so as to fold one upon the other and a handle for the container including corresponding members, means hinging each member to a separate container and means hinging the members together in axial alignment with the hinge connecting the containers.

5. A canteen comprising matched containers, means pivotally connecting the containers substantially centrally of the length of the containers, a handle for the canteen including corresponding members, means hinging each member to a separate container and means hinging the members together at a point removed from the containers and in axial alignment of the hinge of the containers, and a clip on one of the members for locking the handle in folded position against the containers.

6. A canteen comprising matched containers having complementary rims, means pivotally connecting the containers so as to fold one upon the other and a handle for the canteen including like members contoured to flap against the walls of the containers, means pivotally connecting each member to a separate container and means pivotally con -ecting the members together at a distance removed from the containers and in axial alignment with the pivotal connection of the containers and a lateral tongue on one of the members cooperating with the rim of one of the containers for locking the handle in folded position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 749,592 Treen Jan. 12, 1994 863,536 Hudson Aug. 13, 190'? 866,409 Vogler Sept. 17, 1907 1,033,137 VVhitehouse July 23, 1912 1,072,892 Wilson Sept. 9, 1913 1,163,211 Chandler Dec. '7, 1915 1,339,577 Rofieis May 11, 1920 1,417,582 Smith May 30, 1922 1,605,215 Carr Nov, 2, 1926 

